Internal-combustion engine



March 13, 1928.

B. L. EDDs l INTERNAL coMBUsmoN ENGINE A4. ,Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed June 4, 1926 lili-laluna I March 13, 1928.

1,662,379 B. l. EDDS INTERNAL co'ys'rlon ENGINE Filed June 4. 192e' 4 sheets-smet 2 Maf/@MW .,3 A

March l3`, 1928.

v B. L. EDDS INTERNAL coMBUsTloN ENGINE Filed June 4. 1926 4 sheets-sheet 3 gwuantoc.

March 13, 1928.

f B. L. EDDS INTERNAL oMBusTxoN ENGINE 5 Filed June 4, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. i3, 192s. i

U NIT'ED STATES BYRD. L. Enns, or

SHERMAN, TEXAS.

iNmERNAL-CQMBUSMQN ENGINE,

Application filed June 4,

This invention relates to improvements in internal combustion engines and more particularly to engines of the rotating cylinder type particularly adapted for aeroplanes and the like but the improved features of'construction are not limited to thistype, of engine. y

An object of the invention is tov provide an improved twocycle engine; to simplify U the construction of such engines, to provide for better distribution and com-pression of the explosive charge, and the expulsion of the burned gases; to avoid waste of fuel and obtain greater power and eiiiciency.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved internal combustion engine ofthe rotating cylinder type; toprovide an improved engine ofv this kindin which the stresses are more advantageously ff" distributed and thev forces exerted to avoid vibration, wear, looseness ofthe parts, to the end that a more simple, light weight, strong, durable smoothly operating engine of high etliciency will be ailorded.

The invention, with other objects and ad* vantages thereof, and the particular construction, combinations and arrangements of parts comprising the same, will be understood from the hereinafter contained de- ;ze tailed description, when considered in connec-tion with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereofavndr illustrating one exnbodiment of the invention.

ln the drawings: y

Figure 1 is an end elevation, with parts hewn in section, of an engine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, f

Fig. 3 is a detail section ofthe crank lo shaft and crank case.

Fig. l is a detail longitudinal section of one of the cylinders and piston elements as sociated therewith, the main piston being shown at the top of its stroke in position l5 for firing, and the auxiliary pump piston in chargel receiving position.

5 isa detail section on thev line 5,-5 of Figure 4.

Fig. Gis a( no of Figure 4.

Fig.- 7 is a detail section on the line 77 of' Figure ll lhe invent-ion compreh'ends an.-y engine having a. main hollow fixed piston, a. reciproca'ting cylinder slidable. on. the hollow detail section on theline 6-6 192e.` serialnc. 113,653.

piston, and an auxiliary pump piston slid ablein the inne-r end fportion ofl the main piston, the reciprocatingcylinder and auX- iliary piston being connectedL for movement together. More particular` the invention contemplates a rotatingV cylinder engine in.- oluding a fixedv crankshaft, aA crank case rotatable about the shaft, a plurality of radially. arranged pistonsA iiXedly mounted on the crank shaft, 'and reciprocating cylinders slid'ably mountedon said pistonsand o}g erativelyV connected with the' crank shaft. .vWhile a specific. embodiment` of' the invention is illustrated ini the drawings, it

will of course be understood that the partti-cular. construction shown may be. changed andi.. modified, and the. invention.. embodied in other forms, as wiill appeal to those skilled in they art and falling within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

Referring to a detail description of' the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, 1 designates a stationar shaft having a'crank portion la, said sha tbeing supported in any'suitable way, the 4same being shown provided with supporting platess2 rigidly secured thereto. Mount-ed forirotation on the shaft l on suitl able anti-friction bearings is the crank case 4 andi a reciprocating cylinder 5' slidable thereon, the piston l having ahead` 6 and tubular part 7, and being'. arranged with, its head (i disposed outermost and its tubular part 7v fac-ing inwardly toward the interior ofI the crank case 3 and securedy at its inner end thereto adjoining the wall of an opening in the crank case. The pistons.4,'which may be secured tothe crank case 3 in any suitable manner, are' yshown in the present instance provided with shouldered` threaded end portions 8f engaging threaded wallt portions 9; of the crank case 3. In each of the main hollow fixed pistons 4 is an auxiliary piston `10. slidable therein, said` auxiliary. piston being hollow disposed, with its head 10P facing inwardly, the auxiliary piston llOand the cylinder 5" being' iconnected for movement together 'andf' operativly'connected to the crank portionl'n of? the: shaft 1. The

reciprocatine' cylinder :"3 and auxiliarv sliding piston 10 are coupled together hv a centrally diSpoSed rod 11 extending through a tulndar part 12 of the head G ot the main fixed piston 1, said rod having shouldered threaded end portions 11n-11h. respectively tilting against and extending through opening` in the head 5 ol the cylinder 5 andthe head 11)* olE the auxiliar),1 piston 10, and heing secured thereto h v nntev 13-14.. The nuts 14A. at the inner endS of the rods 11 are provided with spaced cari itnL to which are secured hy pini:` 1:'1 the outer ends of rods, 1G, said last mentioned rods at their inner ends` being connected to a hearing spool 17 niounted `ior rotation on Suitable. anti-triction hearing on the crank portions l of the Shalit. l. The rods' 1t are Ashown provided with enlarged portion; lo on their inner ends. said enlarged portions engaging and being conlined within a peripheral way or channel ot the hearing :-=.pool, this construction providing i'or a limited peripheral movement ot' the inner ends ot the rods 16 rclatirel)- to the spool 153.

The tubular part 1Q ol' tho head G ot each ot the main pistons l extends, as shown, through the head to either laide. thereof. the outer portion of Said tuliular part 11 which extentie heyond the outer tace ot the pieton head (i being provided with portal 13 tor the adn'iission ot the explosive mixture from the. interior of the main hollow iixed piston 4 to the coinhustion chamher Within the c vlinder 5 outwardlyY ot the head (i ot the fixed piston 1. 19 designates a tubular detlector parti on the head of pisti'in t Spaced from and .Currounding the ports 1S in the tulnilar part 12. The tulnilar part 1Q of the pieton head 0 and the detlector part 19 are shown as .Qeparate parts from the piston head. the tubular partl 1Q having an externally threaded portion engaging a threaded opening in the piston head, and the detlector 19 being shown cup.haped and held in poaition between a flange 12" on Said tuhular part` 1Q and the outer tace ol the piston head (i. The ports 18 of the tuhnlar part; 12 ot the piston head (i. are controlled b v the rods 11. each of which has an outer section 11d slidahlv fitting the tubular part', 1Q of the pieton head (i. and an inner section 11 of lees; diameter than the diameter of .Caid outer section. the ports 1S heing closed by the outer rod Section 11d until the lower end thereof has paeed ahore said ports in the outward stroke of the cylinders 5. The outer rod sections 11d are shown equipped 1with rings 90.

The cylinders 5 are provided with exhaust ports Q1 which. as will he understood, are controlled h v the fixed pistons 4. Each of the main fixed hollow pistons t has an inner end portion 7 projecting within the crank case 3 and provided with a ring of portsv 22, and each of the auxiliar)v rccip roeating pistons 10 is provided with a ringr of ports lto register `with the rinter ol' ports Q2 in the inner end portion ot the fixed pieton it and eStahlidi communication he tiveen the interior ot the hollow tixed piston 4 and the craulc cane fi at. the end ot tho inward .stroke ot' the vlinder 5 a.-r illustrated in Figure -lof; the drawings. iVhen the port#y 213 of :in v ol` the .fumiliarji' pistons l() are opened in this \vaj\' explosive mixture drawn from the crank rase, it into ,':aid piStons and the interior ot` the fixed pistons i, and a.: the aurdliary pieton lll mores; outwardly toward the head tf of the fixed piston 1. the mixture will lic coin proceed. and at. the proper time. the ports 1S oi: the tuhular part 1Q of the pieton head (i will lie uncovered hv the outward morcment of the. outer Section il" of the. rod 11. and the eompreesed el arge will he l'orf'cd into the cylinder Si through Said porte. the entering charge lieing directed centra lv of and loivard the head 5" ot thi` cylinder hv the detlector 1f) and assisting in thc expulsion ot the spent gasten ot' the previouz-z charge through the exhaust'V porta "ll of the c vlinder which porta, a.: illust rated in the lower partl of Figure 1 ot' the drawings are open a' the time o'l thc uncm'erin; ot' tlnintalte porta 1S. On the return stroke ot the cvlinder 5 the exhauf-:t porta Q1 of the cylinder and the mixture intatte porta 1S olt the tuhular part 12 ot the pifton head G are closed and the charge ie further coinpreased hetncen the outer tace ol the fixe/l pieton (i and the head 5 ot the rj-:liuder 'for tiring. An)y Suitahie ignition or Sparl-:ing nicchanieni mav he employed. each cylinder heing equipped with a. pair oi' #parliV plug,NA Qi'. The exploaive mixture i1: supplied to the crank case 5i throuLfh a pafxfac'e 1 in the Shaftv 1 troin an); ruitahlfl t'orin ot earhureler (not shown). defrignatese protector t-:isfings surrounding inner portion@ ol the c vlinder and piston unita to protect the ovlinder and tixed pieton troni duet and dirt. and to preserve a lubricated condition ol Said parla. the protector eaeinga Q5 heine' Shown Secured to the inner end portion@` ot the fixed pis tong 4f.

Referring to Figure l ot the drawines. at milietiiiitially the posititin designated A. the charge is tired in the ovlinder 5i between tht` cylinder head and the head tt ol the fixed piston el. The force ot the e7:}ilo-'-'ion. :irtingI through the connecting rod ttt and eranl: portion 1n. rotates` the crank ca: e f5 inorine' the cylinder and pieton around to posititnisl B-C-D. in Which latter position the e.\:- haast ports 21 of the cylinder are open and the charge,` which hasheen trapped and compressed hy the auxiliar)7 piston 10 i@ forced into the combustion chaniher Within the cylinder 5. Upon the continued rotation lao of` the crank case 3 and the cylinder 5 through the positions E-F back to the position A, the exhaust ports 21 and the. intake ports 18 in the tubular part 1l are closediand the charge further compressed in the combustion chamber ready for firino, each of the cylinder and piston power units operating once during every completevrevolution of the crank case. v

Power may be transmitted from the engine in any suitable manner, a power shaft 26 rigidly secured to the end plate 3a of the crank case 3, being shown for this purpose.

It will be noted that the particular construction and arrangement of parts hereinbefore set forth, provides, in a two-cycle engine, for the thorough compression of the charge and the expulsion of the spentgases, without waste of fuel, the compressed charge entering the cylinderI being directed centrally toward the outer end thereoffand being there held in place by centrifugal force until the,V exhaust ports are closed.

An extremely simple, light weight, strong, durable, smoothly operating engine ofhigh etiiciency is afforded. The use of valves and valve operating mechanism is entirely avoided. The construction is such that the strain from the explosions is inward against the crankcase, and the centrifugal strains from the cylinders and the heavier partsv is carried by the crank shaft, thus it is possible to use a much lighter crank ease, also the special connection between the outer ends of the cylinders and the connecting rod permits of the use of a much lighter construction of cylinder, and further since the only strain that is exerted on the connecting vrod is tensioned, the rod not being dri-ven back and forth by opposing forces, a much lighter rod can be employed'.

It will also be observed that by the special construction withA thev cylinders reciprocating on the fixedv pistons, t-he expanding gases for rotating the' engine act in conjunction with centrifugal force in the same direction to move the cylinders outwardly. The cylinder on its inward movement is cushioned by the compression of the charge by the 'auxiliary piston inthe chamber of the fixed piston, and centrifugal force is acting on the cylinder at this time, whereby the pull is always outward on the connecting rods irrespective of what position the motor assumes, so that the connecting rods will not knock even thoughthe rod connect-ions should not be tight, thus vibration, wear and breakage is` avoided.

What I claim is:

1. An internal combustion engine comprising` a main hollow fixed? piston,`a reciprocatingl cylinder slidable on said hollow piston,

auxiliary pump piston slidable in the inner end portion of the main hollow piston, means connecting the auxiliary piston and cylinder for movement, together, a crank shaft, a rod connection between the crank shaft and theauxiliary pump piston, exhaust p in the. inner end portion of the main hollow piston, means connecting' the auxiliary pistonand cylinder for movement together, a crank shaft, a rod connection between the crank shaft and the auxiliary pump piston, exhaust ports for the cylinder, means controlling`V the same, means for admitting explosive mixture to the `main hollow piston, a valve controlled passage between theV hollow pistony andl cylinder, and an exterior prO- tecting casingsurrounding an inner portion of the main piston and cylinder. 3. An internal fcombustion engine coinprisingl a main hollow piston, thehead of said piston having a tubular part extending therethrough toeither side thereof, a reciprocating-cylinderv slidable on said hollow pi ton, an auxiliary pump pistonslidablein the inner end portion of the main hollow piston, a rod connecting the pumppiston and the cylinder for movementl together, said rod` extending through and having a. por tion` slidably iitting said tubularipart ofthe main piston head, a rod connectionbetween the crank shaftand the cylinder and auxiliary piston, exhaust ports for the cylinder, means for controlling the fsame, means for admittingV explosive mixture .to ythe, mainhollow piston, and a valve controlled passage between the hollow piston and cylinder.

et. An internal combustion engine,compris-k ing a main hollow fixed piston, the headof said piston having` a tubular part extending therethroughr to either side thereof, a reciproca-ting i cylinder' slidable on` said hollow piston, an auxiliary pump piston slidable in the inner end portion of the main hollow piston, means providing` for the admission of 4explosive mixture to the main hollow piston,

ports in said tubular part of the head ot the main piston, a rod Connecting the auxiliary pump piston and cylinder for movement together, said rod extending through and having a portionthereof slidably iitting said tubular part of the main piston head and controlling the ports thereof, a rod connection between the crank shaft and the cylinder and auxiliarypiston,'exhaust ports for t-he cylinder, and means for controllingthe same` i 5. An internal combustion engine comprising a main hollow iixed piston, the headof said piston having a tubular rpart extendrllO ing therethrough to either side thereof and provided with ports in the portion thereof projecting beyond the outer tace of the piston head, a reciprocating cylinder slidable on said hollow piston, an auxiliary pump piston slidable in the inner end portion of the main hollow iston, means providing for the admission o explosive mixture to the main hollow piston. a rod connecting the auxiliary pump piston and the cylinder for movement together, said rod extending through said tubular part otl the head of the main piston` and said rod haring outer and inner sections ot different diameter` the outer rod portion ot greater diameter slidably titting said tubular part of the head ol the main piston and controlling the ports therein, a rod connection between the crank shaft and the auxiliary piston and cylinder` exhaust ports for the cylinder, and means for controlling the same.

6. An internal `combustion engine comprising a. main hollow fixed piston, the head of said piston having a tubular part extending therethrough to either side thereof and provided with ports in the portion thereof projecting beyond the outer face of the piston head, a tubular detiector on the pistou head surrounding said ports, a reciprocating cylinder slidable on said hollow piston. an auxiliary pump piston slidable in the inner end portion ol2 the main hollow piston, means proxv'iding for the admission of explosive mixture to the main hollow piston,

' a rod connecting the auxiliary pump piston and the cylinder for movement together, said rod extending through said tubular part of the head of the main piston, and said rod having outer and inner sections of different diameters, the outer rod portion of greater diameter slidably tittiug said tubular part of the head of the main piston and controlling the ports therein, a rod connection between the crank shaft and the auxiliary piston and cylinder, exhaust ports for the cylinder, and means for controlling the same.

7. An internal combustion engine comprising a main hollow fixed piston, the head ot said piston having a tubular part extending therethrough to either side thereon, a reciprocating cylinder Slidable on said hollou' piston, an auxiliarjY pump piston slidable in the inner end portion ot the main hollow pistou, means providing for the admission ot explosive mixture to the main hol,- low piston, ports in said tubular part of the head o't the main piston, a rod connecting the auxiliar)v pump piston and the cylinder for movement together, said rod cxtending through and having a portion thereof slidahly fitting said tubular part of the niain piston head, and controlling the ports therein, said rod extending through the end of the auxiliar)Y pump piston, a rod connection between the inner end of said rod and the crank shaft, exha st ports for the cylinder, and means tor controlling the same.

8. An internal comlgiustion engine coniprising a main hollow lixed piston, the head ot said pir-ton haring a tubular part extending therethrough to either side thereol, a reciprocating cylinder slidablc on said hollow piston. an :,iuxiliary pump piston slidable in Athe inner end portion ot the main hollow piston, means providing i'or th1 admis-"ion ol' exploxirc mixture to the main piston, said last nicntionel :mans including a ring' of porli-` in thc inner end portion ot the main tubular piston` and a ring ot' ports in the punip pieton to regir-ter with the last mentioned ports. port-` ii; said tubular part ot the head olf the niain piston. a rod connecting the auxiliary pump piston and the cylinder lor inoreinent together, said rod cxtending through and haring); a portion slidabl),v tilting .f-aid tubular part oi the main piston head and controlling the ports therein, a rod connection between the crank shatt and the cylinder and auxiliary piston, exhaust ports r'or the cylinder, and means for controlling the saine.

il. An internal coinl'iustion engine comprising a niain hollow lixed piston, the head ot said piston haring a tulndar part extending theretln'oue'h to either side thereof` and provided with portiin the portion thereof projectingl beyond the outer l'ace ot' thc piston head, said tubular part being in the torni ot a separate member haring an exteriorljY threaded portion dctachably engaging the threaded openingl in the piston head and provided with a latta-alli` projecting portion, a cup shaped detlector member snrrounding the ports ol' said tubular part and held clamped between the piston head and said lateral projecting portion ol the rod, :i reciprocating cylinder slidablc on said hollow piston, an auxiliary pump piston slidable in the inner end portieri ot the main hollow piston, means providing for the admission ot explosive mixture to the main hollow piston, a rod connecting the auxiliarjiv pump piston and the cylinder for movement together, said rod extending through said tubular part, and said rod having outer and inner sections of dill'erentdiameter, the outer rod portion ot greater diainelija' slidably fitting said tubular part ol` thiI piston head and controlling the portf-A theri-in. a rod connection between the cranl: .-'lial't and the auxiliary piston and cylinder. exhaust ports tor the cylinder', and means tor controlling the same.

10. An internal, combustion engine coinprising a main hollow fixed piston, the head of said piston having a tubular part extending therethrough to either side thereof, a reciprocating cylinder sliflable on said hollow piston, an auxiliary pump piston slidable in the inner end portion out the main Htl l llt) the end of the auxiliary pump piston, nuts on said threaded end portions clan'iping the cylinder and auxiliary pump piston to the rod, and a rod connected with the crank shaft and secured to the limer securing nut, exhaust ports for the cylinder, means con trolling the same, means for admitting explosive mixture to the main hollow piston, and a valve controlled passage between the hollow piston and cylinder'.

ll. Ain internal combustion engine comprising a main hollow lixed piston, a reciprocating cylinder slidable on said hollow piston, an auxiliary piston slidable in the inner end portion of the main hollow piston, means connecting the auxiliary pump piston and cylinder for movement together, and for connecting the auxiliary pump piston and cylinder to the crank shaft, exhaust ports for the cylinder controlled by the main piston, and a valve controlled passage between the hollow piston and the cylinder.

l2. In a rotating cylinder engine, the combination of a ixed crank shaft, a crank case rotatable about the shaft, a plurality of radially arranged main hollow pistons iixedly mounted at their open ends on the crank oase in communication therewith, reciprocating cylinders slidably mounted on said pistons, auxiliary hollow pump pistons slidable in the inner end portions of the main pistons, means connecting each cylinder and one of the auxiliary pump pistons for movement together and with the crank shaft, exhaust ports for the cylinder, means for controlling the same, means for admitting explosive mixture for the hollow pistons, and valve controlled passages between the hollow pistons and the cylinders.

13. In a rotating cylinder engine, the combination of a fixed crank shaft, a crank case rotatable about the shaft, a plurality7 of radially arranged main hollow pistons lixedly mounted at their open ends on the crank case in communication therewith, the head of each of said pistons having a tubular member extending therethrough to either side thereof, reciprocating cylinders slidable on said hollow pistons, auxiliary pistons slidable in the inner end portions of the main hollow pistons, a rod connecting each auxiliary pump piston and one of the cylinders for movement together, said rod extending through and having a portion slidably fitting the tubular part of the main piston head, means connecting each cylinder and the auxiliary pump piston associated therewith to the crank shaft, exhaust ports-for the cylinders, means for controlling the same,

kmeans for admitting explosive mixture to the main hollow pistons, and valve controlled passages between the hollowpi-stons and the cylinders. i

14. ln a rotating cylin ser engine, the combination of a lixed crankshaft, a crank case rotatable about the shaft, a plurality of radially arranged main hollow pistons li'xedly mounted at their open ends on the crank case in communication therewith, the head of each of said pistons having avtubular part extending therethrough to either side thereof, reciprocating cylinders -slidable on .said hollow pistons, auxiliary pump pistons slidable in the inner end portions of the main hollow pistons, means providing for the admission of explosive mixture to the main pistons, the tubular part of the head of each main piston being provided with ports, a rod connecting each auxiliary pump piston kand one of the cylinders for movement together, said rod extending through and having a portion slidably fitting said tubular part of the main piston headand controlling the ports therein, a rod connection between the crank shaft and each of the cylinders and the auxiliary piston associated therewith, exhaust ports for the cylinder-s, and means for controlling the same.

15. Iny a rotating cylinder engine, the combination of a fixed crank shaft, a crank case rotatable about the shaft, a plurality of radially arranged main hollow pistons fixedly mounted at their open ends on the crank case in communication therewith, lthe head of each of said pistons having a. tubular part extending therethrough to either side thereof, reciprocating cylinders slidable on said hollow pistons, auxiliary pump pistons slidable in the inner end portions of the main hollow pistons, means providing for the admission of explosive mixture to the main pistons, ports in the tubular part of the head of each main piston, a rod connecting the auxiliary pump piston and the cylinder for movement together, said rod extending through and having a portion thereof slidably fitting said tubular part of the head of the main piston and `controlling the ports therein, said rod extending through the end of the auxiliary pump piston, a rod connection between the inner 'end of said rod and the crank shaft, exhaust ports for the cylinder, and means for controlling the same.

16. In a rotating cylinder engine, the combination of a ixed crank shaft, a crankcase rotatable about the shaft, a plurality of inner radially arranged pistons lixedly mounted on thekcrank case, outer reciprocating cylinders mounted to slide over the inner lixed pistons, rod connections between the said outer reciprocating cylinders and the crank shaft, exhaust ports for the cylinders, means rod connections` between said cylinders and the crank shaft, exhaust porti.` for the eylinders, means for controlling the exhaust ports, means for supplying explosive anx ture to the cylinders, and a protecting easing for each cylinder and piston surroundingr the inner portions thereof.

In testimony whereof- I hereunto allx my signature.

BYRD L. IDDS. 

